Technology

• Southern Water avoids question on ransomware payout
• February 2024 attack saw customer data stolen in apparent attack
• It is left unclear if the payment was made or not

Southern Water has avoided confirming or denying claims it paid a ransomware demand to hackers following a major cyberattack.

News broke that the company suffered a ransomware attack back in February 2024 which reportedly saw it lose a lot of data to the attackers, data that ended up spilling on the dark web by an infamous ransomware operator known as Black Basta.

However recently, someone leaked approximately 200,000 messages exchanged between members of Black Basta, prompting security firm HudsonRock to create a BlackBastaGPT tool to help sift through the data easier.

Payment and other hallucinations

Journalists from The Register have now used the tool, in combination with raw chat data, to try and find out if Southern Water paid the ransom or not.

Apparently, the group demanded $3.5 million, which was too high for the water company, which allegedly asked to reduce the asking price to $750,000.

While the chat logs don’t clearly state if the terms were agreed, at one point a member allegedly said “These have already paid, remember?"

However The Register notes the GPT hallucinates a lot, and that the information should be taken with a grain of salt. Reaching out to Southern Water directly, it did not receive a clear response, with a spokesperson saying, "As soon as we became aware, over a year ago, of an illegal intrusion affecting our IT systems (not affecting our operations or services to customers), we informed all relevant bodies, including NCSC and Defra. We and our advisers worked closely with NCSC throughout the incident."

Southern Water is a utility company that provides drinking water and wastewater services to customers in the south of England, including Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight. It operates water treatment facilities and sewerage systems.

Black Basta was formed in 2022, and has since targeted at least 500 organizations, with notable victims include Ascension Healthcare, Capita, ABB, and the American Dental Association.

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• Hackers are carrying out attacks faster than ever, report claims
• ReliaQuest research says encryption of exfiltrated data is becoming less likely
• Phishing remains the top attack vector

As well as boosting businesses across the world, the adoption of AI by security teams and hackers has also changed the cybercrime landscape, with new research from ReliaQuest claiming cybercriminals are now faster than ever at breaching systems, with the average time between initial access and lateral movement now just 48 minutes.

Interestingly, the report found hackers are relying less and less on encryptions, with 80% of all breaches involving data exfiltration, but just 20% including encryption, and many attackers are, abandoning encryption altogether, focusing solely on data theft, "a faster, more profitable approach,” the report confirms.

This suggests companies are perhaps less inclined to pay ransoms, and hackers are finding more success in simply selling the stolen data, rather than making demands.

Old habits die hard

This isn’t perhaps entirely surprising, as fewer than half of ransomware incidents result in payment, and of those who pay the ransom, only around 7% actually ever fully recover their information - so there’s not much incentive on either side.

The research also shows phishing is once again the top initial access technique, and 30% of these attacks include credential harvesting. Social engineering attacks are evolving too, with ‘voice phishing’ now behind 14% of breaches - especially targeting the manufacturing sector, likely due to the ‘frequent IT interactions and lenient help-desk policies’ needed to handle the high volumes of support requests.

But the findings also mean security teams are going to have to rethink their priorities in the coming months, and in 2025, companies will have to bolster their defenses to avoid any costly downtime.

“The focus can no longer be solely on restoring encrypted systems—strategies must also address protecting data privacy, managing reputational risks, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements,” the report adds.

“To prepare, CISOs must implement defenses to detect and prevent exfiltration attempts while developing playbooks that prioritize business continuity and resilience against these evolving ransomware tactics.”

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• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 has been rated by Singapore's IMDA
• It appears to be slated for a 2025 release
• This follows a cheeky Black Ops 6 easter egg hinting at the game

A Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 remake feels increasingly more likely now as the game appears to have been rated in Singapore of all places.

As reported by IGN, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 has appeared on the website for the Infocommunications Media Development Authority (IMDA), which manages ratings for video games in Singapore. We weren't able to find the page on IMDA's website, which could mean it's since been taken down, but Polygon managed to provide a screenshot of the webpage.

We can see that the IMDA has approved a 'General' rating for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, and that the game is set to launch in 2025 for all major platforms. That includes PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.

This leak is a little different from what we've seen so far regarding a potential Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 release. The game's publisher, Activision, has itself teased the upcoming game - or at least, something Tony Hawk related.

First was an easter egg found in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on the Grind multiplayer map. There, a date of March 4, 2025 could be found on a billboard within the skate park-themed map. Soon after, a timer appeared on the official Tony Hawk game website, counting down to that same March 4 date. At the very least, it's fair to think that something is coming from the revered skateboarding franchise.

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• For the first time, dark web scanning is integrated into a hosting panel
• Get security recommendations if your data is found
• Hostinger claims over 50% of customers find data previously disclosed on dark web

Many security tools already let you know when personal information has been leaked and shared on the dark web, but unless you check, you won’t know whether your data has been disclosed.

This can leave you at risk of your account being hacked, either through impersonation, or simply your site being accessed with your username and password.

Now, a new tool from Hostinger is looking to boost user security by offering built-in dark web scanning for the first time, integrating the tool directly into its hPanel service.

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Dark web scanning

(Image credit: Hostinger)

There are other free and paid tools available online to check whether your information has been leaked online, but this is the first tool of this type directly integrated into a hosting panel.

Hostinger says its initial trials found over half of customers had data disclosed on the dark web, and received warnings along with suggestions on how to improve security like updating passwords and ensuring two factor authentication is turned on.

The tool was developed by NordStellar, and is available as a separate product or can be activated in Hostinger’s hPanel starting from $1.49/mo.

It works by tracking keywords that are associated with your business in dark web forums, search engines, markets, and communities. It also scans for information related to employee and client data for comprehensive monitoring.

Why is this important?

The dark web is a decentralized and unregulated part of the internet. On it, you can find all sorts of illegal content and it’s usually the first place stolen information is shared or put up for sale.

Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities to gain access to databases and steal large volumes of data held on a service. Instead of spending time to use this information to target the people in the dataset, hackers will sell the bulk data to bad actors who in turn will then try to use the data illegally for financial gain. This could be in the form of credit card fraud or using the information to impersonate a user to gain access to things like an email address or a web hosting account.

Common security tools integrated into hosting panels include Web Application Firewalls (WAF) that improve security through actions like inspecting incoming traffic, checking for cross-site scripting, limiting requests to stop brute force attacks, and identifying bots. Panels also often include password management tools and two factor authentication, file monitoring, and malware scanners.

While these tools are often updated to patch the latest security vulnerabilities of your site, they cannot protect you or your business if your details are hacked and disclosed online from other digital services that you use. By monitoring the dark web for information linked to you other attack vectors are mitigated as it allows you to update your information or add more stringent security while you are at greater security risks

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• Burglars have finally been added to The Sims 4 in a free update
• They can break into your virtual home and steal your most valuable stuff
• You're able to protect yourself in a variety of ways

Hide your valuables and install a burglar alarm, because the fan-favorite crafty criminals are back in The Sims 4. The update coincides with the 25th anniversary of The Sims franchise and has launched ahead of the upcoming The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies expansion pack.

In The Sims 4, the burglar is a new character: the aptly named Robin Banks. She can sneak into your house at night, stealing valuable items before sneaking off into the darkness. If one of your Sims is at home, they will be able to call the police and, if they arrive in time, see the burglar arrested.

If your Sim is feeling particularly brave, you can also opt to fight the burglar in a one on one duel - with stronger and more fit Sims more likely to succeed. Alternatively, there are a few other potential defenses all tied into various downloadable content (DLC) packs.

Those who own a dog in The Sims 4 Cats & Dogs will be fully protected, as their pet can chase the burglar away. Werewolves from The Sims 4 Werewolves will be able to scare the burglar too, while spellcasters (part of The Sims 4 Realm of Magic) can attack them with spells. For The Sims 4 Vampires owners, Vampire Sims could use their magic to command the thief to leave and scientists in The Sims 4 Get to Work get to whip out their trusty freeze ray.

Even if you don't own any DLC packs, burglar alarms have been added with a variety of different types that do everything from call the police to zap burglars, forcing them to drop their stolen items and leave. There are unique interactions to discover too, such as the chance that teenage Sims will stop for a cheeky selfie with the criminal before running away.

Is it a bit of a shame that it took over a decade since The Sims 4 launched back in September 2014 to add a feature that was present in The Sims, The Sims 2 and The Sims 3? Undeniably, but I suppose it's better late than never. I'm also glad that it's now part of the base game, rather than a paid DLC.

The Sims 4 is available now as a free-to-play title on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. That's in addition to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PlayStation 5 via backwards compatibility.

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• Spotify: "how much money goes to artists and songwriters depends on their own contracts"
• Many tracks on Spotify don't generate royalties, and it favors big artists
• There are still ways to support artists directly, though

Spotify is getting annoyed with artists accusing it of hoarding all the money from streaming music. Speaking to our colleagues over on MusicRadar, it pointed a finger at the middlemen that sit between Spotify and the artists themselves.

Spotify has got a point: there are lots and lots of people taking often very large cuts of the money before any of it reaches the artist. But Spotify is also being a bit disingenuous here, because middlemen or not it doesn't pay a single cent for most of the songs you can stream from its service, and while its overall payouts are enormous, the lion's share goes to artists who are already huge.

I'm a broke musician and I make more money from a single Bandcamp sale than I expect to make from any streaming service this year. If you want to support artists, streaming isn't the way to do it.

Where does the Spotify money actually go?

Spotify's statement was partly in response to Gavin Rossdale, who said that "we know that Spotify barely pays. And whatever they do pay, the record companies make sure they sign off most of it before it goes to the artist."

Writing to MusicRadar, Spotify said: “As Gavin correctly points out, streaming services do not pay artists or songwriters directly. They pay rights holders, who in turn pay artists and songwriters based on their individual agreements. Once that revenue leaves a service like Spotify’s hands, how much money goes to artists and songwriters depends on their own contracts with their rightsholders."

That's absolutely true, and if you imagine streaming revenues as cake then there are many people stuffing their faces before the artist gets whatever crumbs are left. The music business is infamous for its ability to bring in huge amounts of money without giving very much of it to the talent. But while the streaming cake is huge, most of that cake is given to the very biggest artists via their record companies while many artists don't get offered any crumbs at all.

The music streaming services don't pay artists directly, and they don't pay per stream. After they've taken their cut of your subscription fees – typically 30% to cover operating costs and profit – they then pay out royalties based on market share. Spotify explains it here: "We calculate streamshare by tallying the total number of streams in a given month and determining what proportion of those streams were people listening to music owned or controlled by a particular rightsholder."

That's great if you're Taylor Swift or Kendrick Lamar. But it's not so great if you're a garage band just starting out. Since 2024 Spotify has demonetized songs that don't get 1,000 streams a year – by some estimates, 86% of music on the platform. As Air Herstand explained in Variety, "an artist with 20 songs at just under 1,000 streams each would earn around $60. Now that artist would earn $0. $60 is not life changing, and it's also not nothing."

What that means in practice is that the very biggest artists are doing very well from streaming: rates of around $0.0031 per stream may seem small, but when you're Taylor Swift – the first female artist to reach 100 billion Spotify streams – that's a ton of money. But the very smallest artists aren't making much money, or any money at all.

If you care about music and want to support artists, the best thing you can do isn't to stream them. It's to buy from their Bandcamp, especially on Bandcamp Fridays when all your cash goes to the artist. It's to buy their merchandise. And most of all, it's to go to their shows.

All of these provide real money more or less directly to the artists, and so help to make sure that they can keep providing you with new music in the future. There's no guarantee of that through streaming alone.

If you love a band, don't just stream them. Go see them.

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• A video has surfaced which supposedly shows the rear panel of the Google Pixel 9a
• The video has since been deleted, but reuploaded by others
• We have no way to confirm whether the phone is real or fake, but it looks convincing

With the Google Pixel 9, Google Pixel 9 Pro, and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL all settling into spots on our list of the best Android phones, fans are naturally wondering when we can expect to see the long-rumored Google Pixel 9a join the lineup as this year’s mid-range Pixel handset.

Well, if a new hands-on video is anything to go by, we might not have to too long to wait. In a now-deleted YouTube short (via Android Authority), tech YouTuber Alexis Garza showed off the design of a convincing-looking Pixel 9a.

Though the original video has been pulled, fellow YouTuber Shane Craig re-uploaded the five-second clip to Threads, where it's still live at the time of writing.

Post by @shanec.irl View on Threads

In the clip, Garza holds the Pixel 9a to the camera and rotates the phone to show the rear panel, camera system, side rails, and buttons.

Everything seems to match what we’ve heard via the latest Google Pixel 9a rumors, from the lack of a camera bar to the squared-off edges that make the Pixel 9a look much more like the mainline Pixel 9 than the previous-generation Pixel 8a. The buttons appear to be standard fare, with just a power button and volume rocker on the right-hand side of the phone.

The Pixel 9a shown in the video features a dual camera system, which we expect to be comprised of a 48MP main camera and a 13MP ultra-wide camera. As mentioned, the camera bar – iconic to the Pixel series since the Google Pixel 6 – is nowhere to be seen, with the cameras instead residing in a pill-shaped cutout that sits almost flush with the rest of the chassis. A large flash module sits to the right of the cameras.

The device shown in Garza's video looks awfully convincing (Image credit: Alexis Garza / Shane Craig)

Personally, even as an outspoken fan of minimalist phone design, I think this is a very plain-looking aesthetic. I appreciate the utility-focused build, but it looks like there’s very little to set the Google Pixel 9a apart from its competitors save for, well, how very little there is to it.

We don’t get a look at the front of the phone in Garza’s clip, but the phone seems to be about the size we’d expect – recent rumors point to a 6.3-inch display for Google’s next mid-ranger, up from 6.1 inches on the Google Pixel 8a.

And if this close-up wasn’t enough, the same device showed up in the background of another since-deleted video posted by Garza depicting a similar hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

Of course, the device in Garza’s video might be a fake, but if so, it’s a very well-made one that would presumably take serious investment to make. The speed with which the video was uploaded and removed could certainly prompt some speculation. Personally, I think the device looks too expensive and well-made to be a phony, though I have no idea how Garza got their hands on it (and this is, of course, just my personal opinion).

In any case, the Google Pixel 9a is tipped to release on March 19, so we might find out how accurate this strange hands-on is sooner rather than later. Has this leak got you more excited for the Google Pixel 9a? Let us know in the comments.

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• Phones running the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip can get up to eight years of software support.
• This will extend to future Android phones running Qualcomm chips.
• However, will anyone actually use a phone for eight years? We're not so sure.

More and more Android phones could come with longer software and security support, thanks to a partnership between Google and Qualcomm.

The crux of this partnership means that the two companies will aim to extend software and security support for devices running Snapdragon chips to up to eight years of consecutive updates. The first phones that’ll fall into this initiative will be ones that sport the flagship-grade Snapdragon Elite 8 chipsets, with the partnership set to cover the next five generations of Qualcomm chips.

“What this means is that support for platform software included in this program will be made available to OEMs for eight consecutive years, including both Android OS and kernel upgrades, without requiring significant changes or upgrades to the platform and OEM code on the device,” explained Qualcomm, noting: “This software support can lower costs for OEMs interested in supporting their devices longer and can show consumers the advantages of Snapdragon mobile processors and software support.”

In a nutshell, this move should help extend the longevity of Android smartphones. Given that, in general, phones have become so iterative in the new features they offer and in how much of a step up they offer over their predecessors, there’s more scope for people to hold onto their phones for longer.

A lack of software and security support did stymie this somewhat, but with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and Google Pixel 9 already offering seven years plus of support, such a problem could be consigned to the virtual bone orchard.

However, there are two ‘buts’ to this situation. The first is it’s ultimately up to phone manufacturers to decide how they implement software support, with some still lagging behind and even OnePlus acknowledging that it doesn't feel the need to provide more than four years of software support.

The second builds upon that latter point, in that eight years is an age for a smartphone, with a lithium-ion battery likely to have worn out in that time and struggling to hold a decent charge for a phone unless it gets replaced, and software advancements like baked-in AI features tend to demand more powerful chips. So it’s unlikely that a smartphone will last most people eight years unless they use it very sparingly and have no interest in the latest software features.

Nevertheless, at a time when there’s concern over electronic waste and the environmental impact of technology, this partnership between Google and Qualcomm is a positive step forward in making smartphones more sustainable, as it certainly doesn't look like the world’s appetite for them is going away anytime soon. Speaking of which, check out our roundup of the best phones if you’re in the market for a new device.

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Hey Alexa, how many days has it been since September 20, 2023?

I’ll tell you – It’s been 525 days since then. That’s a fact which has been on my mind, and potentially yours and countless other Alexa users, as that’s the date of the last Amazon Devices event at which Alexa AI was unveiled. Essentially, Amazon's plan for its virtual assistant, which lives in countless Echo devices, was to get a large language model addition to make it “more intuitive, intelligent, and useful.”

525 days later, though, Alexa hasn’t gotten a major upgrade, and Alexa AI still isn’t here with the promised upgrades. There is a very good chance we’re on the cusp of Amazon debuting its next Alexa, though, and hopefully rolling out the promised enhancements. Panos Panay – Amazon’s head of devices – will take the stage for Amazon’s Devices and Services February 26th event, and you can read our live blog to follow along with the news as it breaks.

For now, though, let’s flip the calendar back and walk through what Amazon promised.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon originally teased Alexa AI as the central brain for all it’s Echo devices back in September of 2023, but the company did hedge a bit on the rollout, noting it would arrive first in the US at an undisclosed date with a limited feature set.

One of the leading demos, which former devices head Dave Limp showed off on stage, was a much more conversational Alexa. You could talk back and forth more informally, much like with a family member or a friend, and ultimately, much like what ChatGPT’s voice mode or Gemini Live is like today. It was an actual demo as well, in that it took a few attempts before it worked and Limp was able to chat with Alexa about his presentation.

It was a much more natural Alexa that could weave in the answers with a better cadence. Further, it could pull on the knowledge it had learned about the household, answering queries about favorite sports team, and triggering multiple automations concurrently. It was a true personalization for Alexa, and that was the main promise. Back in 2023, it was impressive, but this is closer to the AI models we see and can interact with from the likes of OpenAI and Google today.

On the smart home side, the enhanced Alexa was promised to take action based on more human requests; instead of asking for your fans and heaters to be turned on, you could simply tell Alexa that you’re too cold or warm and then it would automatically start adjusting connected smart home gadgets. It could also run through multiple smart home automations with the turn of a phrase and even generate text if you ask.

Pretty neat. It's kind of a mixture of a true smart home assistant with intelligent cues paired with a modern AI chatbot; fitting that this landmark moment should be housed in the first virtual assistant to really captivate so many households and land a spot in millions of homes.

(Image credit: Amazon)

That brings us to the present day. Will Panos Panay, the current head of devices, take what was already teased and build it into an actual drop for current Echo devices around the globe? Might it start in the US only with support for select devices? Time will tell, though judging by the initial promise of Alexa AI, that could likely be the case.

My hope, and let’s say prediction, is that we see pieces of Alexa AI come to fruition and that Amazon will use this opportunity to really enhance home smarts and integrate AI chat further in a uniquely helpful way.

More critically, though, as my colleague Lance Ulanoff wrote, is that Amazon may or may not retain support for even it’s oldest Echos. Amazon has sold countless Echo devices, and while Alexa is great for controlling music and basic requests, unleashing this next-gen version on a bounty of hardware is exciting – so we hope everyone gets the chance, no matter the age of their Echo devices.

Still, though, I’d take a shiny, new Echo smart speaker with an improved AZ1 Neural Edge chip and other hardware to really let this new Alexa burn down the highway.

Either way, my first request to this new Alexa will be to play some Bruce Springsteen – some things simply never change. Stick with TechRadar for the latest as Amazon unveils it at its February 26, 2025 event.

@jakekrol

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• Warner Bros. has closed Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego
• The company intends to focus more closely on key franchises
• Monolith Productions was the developer of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Middle-earth: Shadow of War

Warner Bros. has closed three major studios, Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego, in an effort to increase its profitability.

First reported by Bloomberg, Warner Bros. has subsequently released a statement outlining the cuts. "We have had to make some very difficult decisions to structure our development studios and investments around building the best games possible with our key franchises," it read, before listing Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC, and Games of Thrones as areas of focus going forward.

"After careful consideration, we are closing three of our development studios - Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego. This is a strategic change in direction and not a reflection of these teams or the talent that consists within them," it continued. The statement clarifies that the development of the upcoming Wonder Woman game, which was being helmed by Monolith, "will not move forward."

"Our hope was to give players and fans the highest quality experience possible for the iconic character, and unfortunately this is no longer possible within our strategic priorities. This is another tough decision, as we recognize Monolith’s storied history of delivering epic fan experiences through amazing games," it said.

Founded in 1994, Monolith was a significant developer responsible for many beloved games. This included horror classics F.E.A.R and Condemned: Criminal Origins in addition to more recent licensed favorites like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Middle-earth: Shadow of War.

Player First Games was a more recent arrival, founded in 2019 and acquired by Warner Bros. Games in 2024. It developed one title, the free-to-play fighter Multiversus which features characters and worlds from various Warner Bros. properties. Earlier this year it was confirmed that Multiversus will shut down on May 30, 2025.

Warner Bros. Games San Diego also opened in 2019 and was focused on free-to-play mobile development.

It is currently unclear how many staff will be affected by the closures.

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• Nike has unveiled two brand-new supershoes
• The Vaporfly 4 is the lightest model in the franchise's history
• The new Streakfly 2 is an ultra-responsive shoe for short distances

Nike has unveiled two brand-new super shoes, including the next iteration of the Vaporfly, which it says is the lightest model yet.

Nike manufactures some of the best running shoes on the market, and its new Vaporfly 4 and Streakfly 2 shoes promise extreme response and lighting speed over short distances.

The new Vaporfly 4 is the lightest model in the franchise's history. Specifically, it's 10% lighter than the outgoing Vaporfly 3 and 20 grams lighter than the original Vaporfly from 2017. The Vaporfly 4 is the most versatile Nike racing shoe out there and would suit anyone running 5K up to a marathon. Nike has removed some surplus foam from the midsole to save weight, and there's also a new upper for more comfort and fit consistency.

Nike's next super shoes

(Image credit: Nike)

The Nike Streakfly 2 could be the ultimate speed shoe when it comes to short distances. It now features a full-length Flyplate, a redesigned centered lace system, and a new mesh upper. The Streakfly 2 is even lighter than the Vaporfly 4, weighing in at a staggering 126 grams, 40 grams less than the original.

Available from March (pricing tbc.), both of these shoes join the Nike Racing lineup which already boasts the Alphafly 3 and Zoom Fly 6.

Also new to the scene for Nike this year is the new Vomero 18, the company's new max cushioning shoe that promises a plush and gentle ride.

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• The upgraded 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is launching between March and April 2025
• Improvements include TMR thumbsticks, RGB lighting and better software
• This controller is compatible with Windows and Android devices

This is not a drill! The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 - an upgraded version of the gamepad that tops our list of the best Nintendo Switch controllers - is launching very soon.

The 8BitDo Ultimate's successor has some key upgrades over the original model including a pair of TMR thumbsticks. These achieve the same objective as Hall effect thumbsticks in combating stick drift, but are more energy efficient, which should lead to a slight increase in battery life. Although, those new RGB lighting rings could certainly eat into the extra battery life gains. Thankfully, as with the previous model, this one also comes with a charging dock.

It's also providing what the manufacturer calls '8Speed' technology, which aims to deliver ultra-responsive 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity of under 1ms. If true, that'll be a very impressive upgrade.

The Ultimate 2 also adds toggles for its Hall effect triggers, allowing players to swap between instant and non-linear trigger presses. As before, you're getting two remappable rear buttons as well as two new bumper buttons for additional secondary inputs.

8BitDo's proprietary software looks like it's getting an upgrade too. The 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 will let players adjust RGB patterns and strength, as well as button mapping, stick and gyro aiming sensitivity, trigger press distance and much more.

As for price and availability, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 can be pre-ordered now for $59.99 / £49.99 at 8BitDo's Amazon store. It appears to be delivering from March 8 in the US, but UK folks will have to wait a bit longer until April 25. Three colorways are available, too - White, Black and a lovely Purple.

This initial version of the controller is also only compatible with Windows and Android devices. But, with the Nintendo Switch 2 appearing over the horizon, it's reasonable to expect 8BitDo to release a version that's compatible with the Switch family of systems.

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As data privacy laws evolve and the demand for transparency grows, privacy offices are increasingly burdened with the rising cost of processing Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs). In fact, a 2024 survey indicated a staggering 246% increase in DSARs over the past two years. And they’re costing companies big time – to the tune of $1.5k per request. For offices that handle these privacy requests manually, the costs are incremental. What began as a regulatory obligation to grant individuals access to their personal data has ballooned into a costly and resource-draining task for privacy teams.

From labor-intensive manual reviews to the complexity of identifying, retrieving, and securely delivering data, DSARs require significant investments in both technology and personnel. The challenge lies not only in complying with these legal requirements but also in maintaining the balance between operational efficiency and safeguarding the personal data they are entrusted with.

But what actually is a DSAR – and why are they causing such a stir? Let’s dive in.

Why should businesses care about rising DSARs, anyway?

A DSAR is a legal right granted to individuals under data privacy regulations – such as the GDPR in the EU or CCPA in California – that allows them to request access to their personal data held by an organization. Essentially, it’s a way for people to understand what data is being collected about them, how it’s being used, and to ensure their privacy rights are respected.

When someone submits a DSAR, an organization must provide a comprehensive report on all the data they hold on that individual. This could include everything from personal details to browsing history, transaction records, or even interactions with customer service.

For privacy teams (especially those that process these requests manually) DSARs can become a complex and resource-intensive process. The challenge is not just in identifying and retrieving the right data, but also ensuring it’s done securely, within the required timeframes, and in compliance with the law – which becomes more and more challenging as new regulations appear across the globe.

In some jurisdictions like Chile, with few legacy protections, new laws are created to provide for additional individual rights. Meanwhile, the United States continues multiplying the number of data subjects with DSAR rights and adding to the list of available rights. Still other authorities have increased enforcement of existing laws, including on topics related to DSAR handling.

Public awareness is also a driving force behind this trend. With data breaches on the rise (up 78% in 2023 alone) consumers are more informed about the risks their personal data faces. Increasing media attention, stricter breach notification laws, and high-profile enforcement actions are making consumers more cautious and proactive.

Compliance isn’t just ethical, it’s economical

Meeting DSAR requirements can set your business apart by reinforcing your reputation as an ethical, customer-centric organization. Customers are more likely to trust companies that take their privacy seriously. Being proactive in addressing DSARs and offering users easy access to their data builds credibility and strengthens brand loyalty. What’s more, businesses that excel in DSAR compliance not only minimize the risk of fines and legal penalties, but they also foster a culture of transparency that can lead to higher customer satisfaction and retention rates.

To turn DSAR compliance into a strategic advantage, here are three actionable tips businesses can implement to safeguard customer data and stay ahead of the competition:

Adopt Data Minimization and Secure Storage Practices: One of the best ways to reduce the burden of responding to DSARs is to minimize the amount of personal data collected in the first place. By adopting data minimization principles (that is, only collecting the data that’s necessary and for the minimum amount of time) businesses limit the scope of DSARs and reduce the risks associated with data breaches. Additionally, secure storage practices, such as encrypting sensitive data and using access controls, can help prevent unauthorized access while DSARs are being processed.

Create Clear, User-Friendly DSAR Processes: Make it as easy as possible for customers to submit DSARs by offering easy-to-read instructions and multiple channels for requests. Whether it’s through an online portal, customer service team, or dedicated privacy email address, ensuring that the process is simple and transparent encourages individuals to take advantage of their rights. Timely and clear responses, coupled with transparency about how their data is being used, can further cement your organization as a trusted entity in the eyes of your customers.

Implement Automated Data Mapping and Retrieval Systems: Manually processing DSARs can be inefficient, error prone, and difficult to scale. By investing in automated tools that help map out where personal data resides within an organization, businesses can dramatically speed up the process of retrieving that data when a request is made. Not only does this streamline compliance, but it also helps ensure that the data you provide is complete and accurate — critical for building trust.

By embracing DSAR compliance not just as a regulatory requirement but as a business opportunity, companies can position themselves as leaders in privacy and data ethics. Because the reality is: the organizations that are ethical, responsible and accountable for their customers' personal information are the organizations who are likely to differentiate their brand from the competition.

We've compiled a list of the best data loss prevention services.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Amazon is set to host its first Amazon Devices event since 2023, scheduled for 10am EST / 3pm GMT / 2am ACT on Wednesday, February 26, with many expecting this to be the launching pad for a new, AI-enhanced Alexa, alongside a handful of rumored Echo and Fire TV devices.

After announcing Alexa 2.0 alongside an array of hardware launches back in 2023, all has been relatively quiet from Amazon regarding the future of the LLM (large language model)-boosted smart assistant. Elsewhere, however, rumors have spelled a challenging road to release for Alexa 2.0, including recent concerns that there may be further delays even with its unveiling on the horizon.

It could end up being a divisive event, however, and not because of AI-related concerns; Amazon could be about to fill out its "trends of the 2020s" bingo card by also announcing a subscription plan for the newly smartened Alexa.

We're on the ground in New York City attending the event, which is not publicly available to live stream, and we'll be sharing all the news live as it happens. Stay tuned!

The latest news

• Amazon has scheduled its Devices and Services event for for 10AM EST / 3PM GMT / 2AM ACT on Wednesday, February 26.
• The event is rumored to be the announcement of a new, AI-enhanced Alexa 2.0...
• ... however further rumors suggest this will be a subscription-only service.
• Further rumors suggest new Fire TV hardware and potentially new Echo devices.

Welcome to our live blog coverage of Amazon’s Devices and Services event! Our very own Lance Ulanoff and Jacob Krol are on the ground in New York City to attend the event in person, and I’ll be covering all the news as we learn more from Amazon about its 2025 products.

Stay tuned, because this could be a big moment for Amazon!

Instead of a Devices and Services event in 2024, Amazon opted to trickle various product releases throughout the year, including a surprise launch for the all-new Echo Show 21, as well as second generations of the Echo Spot and Echo Show 15.

We’ve reviewed them all - check them out!

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

With rumors flying about Alexa 2.0’s subscription fee, we’ll hopefully be learning more later today on what that means for the original Alexa. Logic would dictate they wouldn’t fully ditch it and would leave that as the ‘basic’ option in all Echo devices, right? Right?

Anyway, for a refresher on what Alexa can do, check out our list of the Best Alexa Skills and commands.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Especially at release, Alexa was a real game-changer, but with the passage of time comes new technology and new demands on aging software. That’s certainly the case with Alexa; the voice assistant has seen many quality of life updates and new features, but it’s starting to show its age.

There’s plenty that could be improved, but I wrote yesterday about five specific features that would make Alexa 2.0 genuinely worthwhile. Check it out!